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The Nairobian

Kenya Association of Former Footballers rally behind FKF disbandment

Football

By Odero Charles | Nov 21, 2021

FILE: From left Sports CS Amina Mohamed, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Former Vice President Musalia Mudavadi and FKF President Nick Mwendwa during Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards KPL Derby at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday 08/03/2020 [Boniface Okendo,Standard]

The Kenya Association of Former Footballers on Saturday said they have full confidence in the work done by the Ministry of Sports to streamline football in the country.

Through a statement penned by the Association, the former legendary stars supported Sports CS Amina Mohamed’s stance of disbanding FKF saying it was long overdue to restore sanity in the sport and revive football standards in the country.

"We’re at the darkest period of Football Management in our country. A time when we both ought to be celebrating the many privileges that have come with the modern times, we’re lamenting intentional and unprofessional mismanagement of our beautiful game," read part of the statement.

The meeting came as Sports CS disbanded the Mwenda led FKF last week.

"It is imperative that we all have this clarity; that Nick Mwendwa’s regime has been the most sufficiently funded Football Federation ever in the history of football in Kenya since independence; he has had access to lots of funding opportunities; i.e. FIFA Forward 1.0 and 2.0, CAF Funding, Government National Sports Fund, Sponsors Funding (Betting Companies etc.), a privilege never enjoyed by the past regimes in Kenya.

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"What we have witnessed in the last 5 years, is a diminishing state of football in Kenya, and a complete weakening of our football structures, even when we already have a very progressive Sports Act No. 25 of 2013 and the Sports Amendment Bill of 2021 as a guide in regulating our Football Leadership, Management and Governance."

The Kenya Association further listed Problems caused by the regime over the last five years as follows;

Mismanagement of Football Affairs in the country.
Misappropriation of Football Funding.
Lack of Accountability of Public Resources.
Discrimination, even to a simple act of letting Kenyans attend national matches in the Public Stadium.
Unprofessional recruitment of National Teams Coaches and Technical Bench.
Lack of meeting the minimum requirement in matters strategies, planning, and stakeholder engagement.
Killed the spirit of youth football development. Youth structures are set for their own businesses, and selective ambitions.
Arrogance, chest thumping, a lack of dignity as brought about in the highest office of Football Management in Kenya by this regime, and disparaging remarks made towards the CS with regards to relinquishing power to the caretaker committee.
Rise of match fixing in the country by match officials, because of lack of funds when on their official duties. Bribery of delegates during voting exercise," the statement is detailed.

The Association also rallied behind Sports CS Amina following her decision to disband FKF.

"We, as retired Football Players of different generations, condemn this, and strongly support the CS of Sports, Culture and Heritage, Ambassador Amina Mohamed, on disbanding FKF-NEC and the entire leadership,” added the statement.

KAFF further supported the recently formed Caretaker Committee and its Secretariat in the mandate assigned to them by the Government.

The 15-member committee was formed on November 11 by Sports CS Amina Mohamed to run football after she disbanded Nick Mwendwa-led FKF after receiving the federation's audit report.

“It is our hope that an immediate clean-up and res-structuring of Kenya’s Football Leadership will continue as a priority task, especially after the just concluded inspection and audit of FKF by the Sports Registrar,” the statement continued.

“Lastly, we pray for the best and look forward to a new leadership at FKF, elected within the confines of Kenyan Law, and specifically within the Sports Registrar’s regulations and the Sports Act No. 25 of 2013."